A mother and her 15-year-old daughter have died after allegedly eating a contaminated Christmas meal in Pietracatella, Italy. Antonella Di Ielsi, 50, and Sara Di Vita fell ill with symptoms including sickness and stomach pain shortly after consuming fish, mussels and mushrooms.
Officials suspect the pair developed fulminant hepatitis, a form of acute liver failure, as a result of food poisoning. Sara was rushed to A&E twice before doctors discharged her, but her condition worsened and she died at Cardarelli Hospital at 11pm on Saturday. Her mother was admitted shortly afterwards with identical symptoms and also died.
The family's father, Ganni Di Vita, 55, has been admitted to intensive care at Spallanzani Hospital in Rome with the same symptoms. Their 18-year-old daughter is under close observation, but doctors believe she did not eat the meal that evening.
Police have collected food samples from the family home, including canned goods and fresh produce, to identify the source of the poisoning. The public prosecutor's office has ordered post-mortem examinations, and five doctors from Cardarelli Hospital are being investigated for manslaughter.
Village mayor Antonio Tommasone said: "We are devastated. This is a tragedy that leaves us speechless." Local residents held a vigil, and Christmas festivities were cancelled. Prosecutor Nicola D'Angelo said the inquiry would investigate potential negligence and determine what caused the poisoning.
